8-25-12 Cottonbrook

I returned to Cottonbrook on the banks of Little River with the ambition to camp overnight and then head out the next day for a day long sailing trip.  I hiked into my preferred spot, find a better bush-whacking path that didn't involve having to get my feet wet in crossing the river and set up camp.

 However, unlike the last time I was here there were plenty of signs others had found this spot.  There was a fire-pit, with seared tin cans propped again the stones and cut logs for sitting.  And this...

 A totem?  I guess.  Sawed from a downed log.   The only living tree that had survived the flood from Irene in the middle of the stoney wash had been cut down.  This was sad to see, we are so habitually destructive.  After setting camp threw on my running belt with water and went exploring with Sal.

 I walked up what used to be a road and came across this moss covered slate.  This picture does not do it justice.

 Back at Little River Sal got to practice swimming and fetching.

His prints next to a deer's.  i did not spend the night due to the tightness of my schedule for the next day.  By the time camp was taken down the sun was setting and it was almost dark when I got back to the car.  Heard some strange sounds on the walk out, maybe wild dog?  I didn't hang around.  When I got home I ate a meal and collapsed nice and tired.  A good day.

8-19-12 Back to Shelburne Bay with Folks

This weekend my folks came up and I took my Dad back out to Shelburne Bay to kayak around a bit.  It was a beautiful day and low wind but the water level is so low it was hard to get far enough out to launch.

 All the dead algae and seaweed is a bit gross.

 I do enjoy my squid covered kayak, despite it's unstable nature.

 Which is why I found it hard to take a photo while in it.  Didn't want to risk dropping my phone into the water.  Or at least that is the excuse I am going with.

 Playing in and around the moored boats.

The one behind my Dad is a 47 foot long one.  There are some massive boats that ply these waters.  It is such a good way to spend a morning.

8-16-12 Cottonbrook run then Shelburne Bay

Cottonbrook Road is a foot and horse traffic road on the north end of the Little River Reservoir.  Originally this whole area was inhabited but the building of the damn flooded the town and the foundations of the homes still sit on long abandoned dirt roads in the hills.

 Due to an odd workweek schedule I had a thursday to go out and play.  I grabbed Sal and headed into the woods for a good 5mile loop, some of which I would run and other parts I would walk.

 Since this loop went around a ravine's perimeter there were many draining streams and plenty of bridges to go with it.  Since no road traffic on these trails the bridges are mainly for VAST/Snowmobiles.

 Just a cool rock hinting at a more volcanic time.

 I was puzzled by this badly leaning sign which had directions for all the snowmobile routes, not well constructed or well thought out.

 All along the trail were tons of blackberries and raspberries, my running was frequently interrupted to gather these for myself and Sal.

 This guy was hug, probably 2 inches long or more.  I also saw two garter snakes, lots of wildlife around that day.

 Mmmmmm raspberries.

 Someone pulled some plastic trash out of the drain ditch and carefully lined it up in perfect intervals along the side of the road.

 Sal was quite tired towards the end.

 Abandoned honeycomb.  In the middle of the road.  Not sure how it got there.

 There were these crazily colored mushrooms that were almost iridescent.  My iPhone was doing weird things when I was trying to take pictures.

After the hike I got home and decided that I wanted to kayak as well.  I grabbed my plastic boat, my fly rod and paddle and headed to Shelburne Bay to pass away the rest of the day.

 How is this not enjoyable?  And putting my feet in the cool water after a good hike was quite refreshing.

 Pulled up on an island that was around the point.

 Not much bigger than probably 40' by 50' I decided I would claim it in the name of "PP" who had graciously carved their name in the rocks. 

 The island was covered in goose shit and in this part, goose bones.  Did not make it.  That is the pelvic cradle.

 More bones, although I think the same goose.

 I set up a small pile of rocks to by my mark.

 The inglorious PP for whom I christened this island.

From a distance.  A cool spot to watch the boats sail.  Nice and tired after all these adventures.